A Union County contractor, who bilked a New York state couple out of more than $100,000 for a new home construction, was sentenced to a county prison term on Monday in Carbon County court.

William D. Wehr, 66, of Lewisburg, was sentenced by President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II to serve six to 23 months in prison and to make restitution to the victims of $105,800. The prison term will be followed by four years of probation.

Pocono Mountain Regional police said about 3:48 p.m. on Nov. 17 officers were dispatched to SR115 and Burger Road, in Tobyhanna Township, to a report of theft of firewood. On scene officers made contact wtih Manuel Torres-Zayas, 35, of Pocono Lake. Torres-Zayas admitted taking the wood without paying for it. He was released with charges to be filed, police said.

State police at Fogelsville reported the arrest of two females for retail theft at Kohl's Department store in Lower Macungie Township.

About 6:45 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 26, troopers were called to the store by security who had two females in custody for theft. They were identified as Megan Betz, of Walnutport, and a juvenile female from New Tripoli. Both were issused non-traffic citations and released, troopers said.

A faulty oil burner has been blamed for a fire that caused extensive damages to several homes and left 12 people homeless in Mahanoy City.

State police fire marshall Trooper John F. Burns, of the Frackville barracks, said the fire was started by a oil burner malfunction in the basement of the property at 1117 E. Pine St., which was occupied by Cornelius Vanderpluym, 65, and his wife, Mildred, 51, and their son, Joseph, 28. Also residing in the home of Jennifer Tutko, 25.

State police at Lehighton said Richard J. Frantz, 42, 561 Molasses Valley Rd., Kunkletown, was found to have in his possession a Ruger M77 30-06 caliber hunting rifle while not being licensed or privileged to do so.

He will be charged with felon not to possess a firearm, troopers said.

November 30, 1940 Charley Melley's one-yard touchdown plunge on the first play of the fourth quarter lifts Coaldale to a 7-0 victory over Lansford in front of 6,000 fans. The Tigers' win, which occurs during a snowstorm, ends the Panthers' undefeated season and chance for an Eastern Conference championship. Melley, who carries 27 times for 71 yards, sets up his winning score by completing a 37-yard pass to Frank Priggins.

A Parryville woman was placed on probation on Monday in Carbon County court on a charge of criminal conspiracy-endangering the welfare of a child.

Stephanie Lynn Gerhart-Schuster, 27, was placed on probation for two years by Senior Judge Richard W. Webb.

Schuster was found guilty of the charge by Webb following a day long bench trial. She was not charged with causing injuries to a then 18-month old boy but for not getting medical attention for the child.

Ron Gower/TIMES NEWS FILE PHOTO Lead singer Doug Gray, an only original member of The Marshall Tucker Band, sings during a previous concert at Penn's Peak in Jim Thorpe. The Marshall Tucker Band is returning for a concert at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Opening for the Saturday show will be The Bounty Hunter Gang

By RON GOWER rgower@tnonline.com

Two popular Southern rock bands will be appearing Saturday night at Penn's Peak in Jim Thorpe.

They are The Marshall Tucker Band, with the opening act being The Bounty Hunter Gang.

The Marshall Tucker Band is a Southern rock band originally from Spartanburg, South Carolina. The band's blend of rock, rhythm and blues, jazz, country, and gospel[1] helped establish the Southern rock genre in the early 1970s.

The band has recorded and performed continuously under various lineups for nearly 40 years.

A Carbon County driver was cited for driving under the influence (DUI) in Lehigh County.

State police at Fogelsville said Luis Ernesto Colon, 21, of Lansford, was stopped for speeding about 12:18 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 27, along SR22 at SR309 in Whitehall Township. He was found to be under the influence and was placed under arrest for DUI. Troopers also said Colon had an active warrant for his arrest.

This cute 4-6 month old kitten was rescued from that fire in Mahanoy City this morning. The family owned 13 cats. This cat was the last one to be rescued. His name was DJ. He was soaking wet and shaking when he was rescued. Now he's looking for a new home. If you're interested in adopting DJ, you can respond to: andyleibenguth@tamaquaarea.com.

The Northern Lehigh Bulldogs will travel to J. Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown to take on District 12 champion West Catholic in the PIAA Class 2A quarterfinals on Friday night at 7 p.m.

The Bulldogs (13-0) advanced with a 50-14 victory over Wilkes-Barre GAR in the first round. West Catholic (10-2) beat Bok Tech the week before, 34-6.

Tickets can be purchased in the Northern Lehigh Main Office. Tickets can be purchased Tuesday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Friday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Ticket prices are $6/adult and $3/students. All tickets at the gate are $6.

Two teenagers were cited for harassment after they were involved in an altercation.

According to Summit Hill police, officers were called by Panther Valley Middle School at 3:30 p.m., Nov. 16, for two 14-year-old males from Coaldale. The school reported that the two students had an altercation on one of the school buses. Both were cited.

The Carbon County 4-H Livestock Club will be holding its Christmas party at the Big Creek Grange on Saturday, Dec. 4.Set up begins at 6 p.m.; dinner starts at 6:30. Each family is asked to bring a covered dish and a bottle of cold soda.

A Tamaqua woman escaped serious injury when her car struck a tree after she swerved to avoid hitting a deer.

Antoinette Miller, of 216 Patterson St., told borough police she was driving a 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo along Owl Creek Road when a deer entered the roadway. Miller swerved to avoid striking the animal but lost control and struck a tree.

Icy road conditions last Thursday, Nov. 25, were blamed for two of three crashes investigated on Schuylkill County roadways by state police at Schuylkill Haven.

A crash occurred about 11:05 a.m. along Mill Creek Avenue in East Norwegian Township. Troopers said Fallon M. Tice, 27, of Coaldale, was driving a 2005 Jeep Liberty and descending a hill and she lost control when the vehicle hit icy patches. The vehicle slid onto the south berm where it struck a utility pole.

Tice and her passenger, Steven B. Reed Jr., 29, also of Coaldale, were not injured.

A right-to-know policy on messages received at the 9-1-1 Emergency Center and the Emergency Management Agency office was approved by the Schuylkill County Commissioners at their public meeting held at the courthouse in Pottsville.

This policy is specifically directed toward right-to-know law request for disclosure of names, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses generated through the 9-1-1 Center and Emergerncy Management offices. If they receive requests it will be handled in the following manner:

In consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), McNeil Consumer Healthcare, Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc. has initiated a voluntary recall of all product lots of Children's BENADRYL® Allergy FASTMELT® Tablets, in cherry and grape flavors, that were distributed in the United States, Belize, Barbados, Canada, Puerto Rico, St. Martin, and St. Thomas and all product lots of Junior Strength MOTRIN® Caplets, 24 count, that were distributed in the United States.

Children participating in the New Philadelphia Christmas Festival manger scene from back left are Gillian Bartashus, Bobby Motto, and Lucas Durm, all playing "the three kings". Pictured from front left are Billy Minnig playing "Joseph" and Molly Bartashus playing "Mary". All are age 8.

Five area men, including three from Tamaqua, and three area women were among 22 people who entered guilty pleas to criminal charges in Schuylkill County court and were sentenced by President Judge William E. Baldwin.

William J. O'Gurek, left, chairman of the Carbon County Commissioners, was guest speaker at a recent meeting of Lehighton Rotary Club. Commissioner O'Gurek discussed the current state of Carbon County, as well as future plans for the county. With O'Gurek is club president, Dr. Barbara Belón. Rotary Club of Lehighton meets Thursdays from 7:45-8:30 a.m. at Hampton Inn in Lehighton. Prospective new members are invited and encouraged to attend.